Josefina "Sugar" Salazar Hands

Josefina "Sugar" Salazar Hands, a beloved caterer, chef, and baker known for her boundless creativity and infectious joy, passed away on June 9, 2026, in Amarillo, Texas, after a courageous battle with illness. Born on January 9, 1962, in Phoenix, Arizona, Sugar touched the lives of many with her funny and fun-loving spirit, a testament to a life lived fully and with great heart.

Sugar attended school in Santa Rosa and proudly graduated from Santa Rosa High School with the class of 1981. Throughout her life, she embraced her passions wholeheartedly. A devoted Daughter of Yeshua and active member of the Messianic Church in Clovis, she found profound meaning and community in her faith. Always a woman of initiative, Sugar created her own Shopper’s Club, an endeavor that reflected her entrepreneurial spirit and love for bringing people together. Her hobbies of camping, arts and crafts, and baking were not just pastimes but extensions of her vibrant personality and kindness, shared freely with family and friends.

Her legacy of love and care is carried on by her daughter, Alexandria Salazar of Clovis, and her mother, Beatrice Salazar of Santa Rosa. She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings Roger (Paula) Salazar of Pecos, Sylvia (Michael) Maestas of Santa Rosa, and Mary (Gary) Cordova of Santa Rosa. Sugar’s life was enriched by the close bonds she held with numerous nephews, nieces, family members, and friends, including her special niece Jamie Estupinan of Santa Rosa and her special nephew Anthony Salazar.

The family honors the memory of those who preceded her in death: her son Jason Moises Salazar; her father Miguel Porras Salazar; her siblings, Michael and Rita Salazar; beloved aunts Eva Morales and Lupe Chavez; uncles Bozo Cordova, Brody Cordova, Pat Cordova, Pete (Mabel) Cordova, and Dora (Manuel) Baca; as well as niece Jenel Salazar and nephews Edward Romo and Andrew Salazar.

A visitation will be held on June 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Blue Hole Convention Center, located at 1085 Blue Hole Rd, Santa Rosa, NM. The funeral service will follow immediately at 11:00 a.m., concluding at 12:00 p.m. The interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Rosa at 12:15 p.m.

Pallbearers honoring Sugar’s memory include Anthony Salazar, Jamie Estupinan, Geneva Moore, Monica Guererro, Jayden Araiza, and Mikel Martinez. Honorary pallbearers are 'Lil One "Chickita," Alexandria Salazar, Roger Salazar, Jose "Sonny" Aragon, Billy Lopez, Darius Dickson, Sr., Darius Dickson, Jr., McKenzie Dickson, Dominick Chavez, along with all of Sugar’s nephews and nieces.

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home.  The florist serving this area is Wild At Heart Floral in Tucumcari, NM  575-461-3344.

Following the graveside committal, the family extends an invitation to join them for a meal, fellowship-and as per Sugar's request, a baile, at the Blue Hole Convention Center.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435.  575-472-3369.

Josefina “Sugar” Salazar Hands leaves behind a cherished memory of warmth, laughter, and generosity. Her enduring spirit and the joyous light she brought to others will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.